Announcements

Rowan Overcomes Murphy's Career-Night; Down Spartans in Comeback

Dec 13, 2010

YORK, Pa. – The York College women's basketball team suffered a hard-to-swallow 64-60 defeat at the hands of visiting Rowan Monday night at the Grumbacher Sport & Fitness Center. With the loss, the Green and White end the first semester with a 6-4 record while the Profs improve to 6-3.

Owning a 14-point 57-43 lead with 10:52 to play, the Spartans looked as if they would run away with the non-conference tilt. However, a frigid drought from the field allowed the Rowan squad to inch their way back over the latter portion of the second half. Following a Kelsey Murphy three with 10:52 to play, the Spartans would not hit another bucket from the floor until the 2:41 mark.

That deep freeze gave the Profs all the time they needed to mount the comeback effort. Rowan proceeded to go on a 16-1 run, York's only point courtesy of a Brittany Hicks free throw, to take a 59-58 lead with 3:48 to play. Gina Catanzariti's layup gave the visitors their first lead since 9:16 left in the first when they held a 13-12 advantage.

The Green and White finally snapped out of their bucket-less streak with a Kristen Haley layup with 2:41 to play. Haley's score gave York a slight one-point advantage at 60-59.

That lead would be short-lived however, as Rowan's Lauren Gregg responded with a jumper just 18 seconds later. Gregg's 24th and 25th points of the evening would give the visitors the lead for good.

It would be Ashley Russo though that provided the final dagger. With time running short on the shot clock, and with 28 seconds remaining in the game, Russo canned a heart-wrenching triple from the right corner. Her second three of the game finished off the scoring as Rowan took home the 64-60 triumph.

Despite the loss, rookie guard Murphy played exceptionally well as she posted a career-high 21 points. Murphy went 8-for-14 from the floor including 5-for-10 from three, several of which were of the way-downtown variety.

For the contest, the Spartans shot 34.4% percent from the floor (22-of-64) and 33.3% from beyond the arc (6-of-18). York also hit ten of their 14 free throws.

Aside from Murphy's career night, Hicks, the reigning Spartan Athlete-of-the-Week, posted ten points, four rebounds, and four steals over her 24 minutes. Freshman point guard Aja Wallpher added six points, five caroms, and six helpers.

The Profs put together a 43.5% showing from the floor (27-of-62), knocking down 30.8% of their attempts from three (4-of-13). Adding to their comeback effort, Rowan outrebounded the Spartans 44-36.

Gregg led Rowan with 25 points on 12-for-27 from the floor and 1-for-5 from three. She also registered 11 rebounds, five blocks, two steals, and an assist over her 39 minutes. Brittany Baum and Russo were also in double figures with 13 and 11, respectively.

With first semester action now complete, the Spartans next head down to Daytona Beach, Fla. for the Land of Magic Classic on December 28 and 29. On Tuesday the 28th, the Green and White are set to take on Western Connecticut St. at 10:00 am before facing Denison at 11:45 am on the 29th.